Kneaders Bakery & Cafe Opens First Phoenix-Area Unit

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Kneaders Bakery & Cafe, a restaurant and retail shop, will open its newest location in Gilbert, Arizona, on Monday, May 27.

The first 100 customers will receive free French toast as part of the grand-opening festivities. Regular hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kneaders is a Utah-based restaurant franchise specializing in European hearth breads, made from scratch on-site daily, as well as gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and breakfast items.

It also provides catering services for groups of all sizes, from birthday parties to weddings, and offers a variety of retail products, including gift baskets and holiday-themed gifts.

“We look forward to becoming part of the Gilbert community and are excited to provide local residents with the Kneaders dining experience,” says Andrew Smith, Kneaders master franchisee. “Our goal is to provide an experience where the atmosphere is comfortable, the food is fresh, and customers feel cared for.”

Priscilla Toa will act as operating managing partner for the new location. She started with Kneaders more than two years ago as a part-time cashier, and since has been inspired to stay with the company thanks to management opportunities, growth of the franchise, and her passion for the brand.

“We’ve had tremendous growth over the past couple years, and I attribute that to our dedication to using only the highest-quality ingredients and consistently providing excellent customer service,” says James Worthington, CEO of Kneaders. “I think Andrew and Priscilla will do an excellent job at upholding our high standards at this new location.”

Colleen and Gary Worthington opened the first Kneaders in Orem, Utah, in 1997. Shortly after opening, Worthington and David Vincent, CFO, joined them; they all continue to operate as the Kneaders franchisors to this day.

Smith serves as a Kneaders’ four-state development agent and a master franchisee. The brand now consists of 23 locations, including 19 in Utah; one in Meridian, Idaho; two in Yuma, Arizona; and the soon-to-open location in Gilbert.